Proflie evaluation (for top 20) - thanks in advance!

[elizabethramir]

I am new to the Urch, but I've found it very helpful, so I was hoping I could get you guys to review my profile. I am interested in applying to a PhD in economics or ARE. My school doesn't have a great placement history in economics PhDs (although, I admit this is based on only three people that I have known to apply), so I was thinking top 20 schools were out my reach. I was going to apply mostly to master's programs, as preparation for a PhD. However, I would love to get feedback about my chances if I apply directly to a PhD program.

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Private top 20 undergrad, top 50 econ; majored in Mathematical Economic Analysis (aka Econ + extra math courses)
Undergrad GPA: 4.06 (summa cum laude)
Math Courses: Calc I/II (A,A,A), DiffEq (transfer credit, so listed as P on transcript), Linear Algebra (A), Prob. and Stat. w/ calc (A), DiffEq (A), Elements of Real Analysis (A+), Real Analysis I (A), Real Analysis II (A+),
Econ Courses: Intro Micro (A+), Intermediate Micro/Macro (A-,A), Econometrics (A), Applied Econometrics (A), Mathematical Economics (A-), Environmental Economics (A), Development Economics (A), Energy Economics (A), Labor Economics (A), Financial Markets (A), Senior Independent Research (A+)
Other courses: Independent Research in Statistics (A+)
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 170 Q/ 169 V / 5.5 AW
Letters of Recommendation: Two from econ professors, one is thesis advisor, other intermediate micro/labor professor who was on committee that awarded me a prize from my senior thesis (both Chicago PhDs), One from a stat professor with whom I did research, should be very good
Research Experience: One semester of senior thesis research which was awarded prize for best paper in health economics (awarded to either grad or undergrad paper; probably no grad papers submitted haha); Second semester of research with stat professor on the health effects of ozone in my city, if paper is published will be author, will probably just be technical report to city government
Teaching Experience: TA for course in civil engineering dept
Research Interests: Development/Environmental Economics; research has been on health effects of pollution, but I am also interested in water resource/public utility economics in developing countries
SOP: Haven’t started
Concerns: Not enough math, no grad level coursework, no game theory, reputation of my school’s econ program
Schools: originally, LSE and Oxford M.Phil, Duke MA, maybe Berkeley ARE and Yale FES PhD, UT Austin PhD (because of proximity to where my boyfriend will be); An ideal situation would be to go directly to top 20 PhD program: i.e. Yale, Stanford, Duke, UCSD, UCLA, Wisconsin

[OneArmedEcon]

Your profile certainly does not suffer from lack of math.

If I were in your position, then I'd apply to Top 20 programs with confidence (including quite a few in the Top 5). I would be very surprised if you didn't get admitted into UT Austin. Strongly recommend that you consider applying for an NSF grant.

You're also an early favorite for a next year's Antichron Award. Best of luck.

[tm_member]

Yup, this is a potential top 10 profile. No need to do a MA.

[billyshears]

Look through the profiles and results thread, or untitled's results aggregator (just do a search).

[TomRod]

The only reason I can see that Austin would turn you down would be because they wouldn't expect you to really consider an offer from there. To show that you actually do, I recommend going out of your way to contact the graduate coordinator to see if UT would be a good fit.

[elizabethramir]

Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it. I guess I will take the plunge this admissions cycle.

[elizabethramir]

I have one more quick question. Up until my junior year, I was more intersted in environmental policy and filled my schedule with environmental engineering/science courses. For this reason, I was not able to take RA I & II until senior year and decided against taking grad micro because I was afraid of being unprepared. Since it seems that taking grad courses is pretty common for applicants to top schools, should I explain this in my SOP? If I mention it, I think I should still be able to convince the adcom of my commitment to economics.

[TomRod]

It would not be a bad thing to mention in your SOP how your environmental studies set you apart from the typical PhD applicant. If you want some more background on the environmental literature, check out Michael Greenstone, Frank Wolak, White/Bushell/Borenstein/Puller (respectfully, I don't know their first names). From experience I can tell you there is a ton of crossover in development, IO, and environmental economics. Not having graduate level Micro is no dealbreaker, especially considering your alternative classes taken.

The above applies generally too: express your interest via your SOP, using your previous experience to back you up, and you will find yourself much more convincing.

[elizabethramir]

Thanks, TomRod. I'll make sure to look into the literature you mentioned.